BBC Radio Solent makes Christmas promo video

BBC Radio Solent has created a Christmas video in an attempt to compete with the major retailers.

The team from Breakfast in Dorset, the morning opt-out from Radio Solent, have created the 80-second spot using a BBC Introducing Solent artist, with local people and places featuring. You can see breakfast presenter Steve Harris hosting his show from the recently refurbished Dorset studio.

The promo tells the story of three different people (and one dog) deciding to turn in ahead of what viewers are lead to believe is the big day itself. Like with all the best festive adverts though everything is not what – or who – it seems. It stars amateur actors from the New Hardy Players and was shot on location in helpful local shops, and the team’s living rooms.

The show’s producer Ian Ramsdale told RadioToday: “We wanted to prove with this advert that we think big at BBC Radio Solent. That ambition and creativity are more valuable to an ad campaign than very deep pockets.

“Of course, a good soundtrack is vital for a successful advert these days, and the music here is provided by BBC Introducing Solent artist Emily Denton, a singer who uploaded her track via the BBC Uploader.”

While the project was being developed, it was talked about on-air under the name Operation Brownsea. “One of the high street retailers most famous for its Christmas adverts owns the castle on Brownsea Island in Dorset,” Ian explained. “Calling it Operation Brownsea meant people knew exactly what they could expect without us having to explicitly mention any commercial interests.”